Interstellar

Director: Christopher Nolan

Ever since Bruce Wayne jetted off to Italy—with Selena Kyle in tow—to leave Gotham and a certain masked vigilante behind, film fans have wondered what Christopher Nolan would do next? Would it be another superhero movie? Would he drop the pomp and go for something small? Well, the answer is “No,” and “No” as the British auteur walks in the footsteps of Steven Spielberg and Stanley Kubrick for this far reaching space epic. Earth is dying an ex-astronaut Matthew McConaughey is recruited to man a mission through a wormhole to investigate possible replacements. As with all things Nolan, it’s big, it’s bombastic, and it’s breathtaking.

Big Hero 6

Director: Don Hall, Chris Williams

Disney and Marvel continue to make magic, this time using another fringe title from the comic book kings (and you know how well their Guardians of the Galaxy experiment went, right?) to teach children the value of heart, intelligence, and a big inflatable robot. Indeed, this clever bit of animated imagination sees a young genius resort to revenge when tragedy strikes his family. All he has in reserve, however, is a collection of college age nerds and his brother’s balloon being. Apply a bit of that patented House of Mouse wonder and - Voila! - another cartoon classic is born.

The Theory of Everything

Director: James Marsh

Long before he was a physics savant, long before a debilitating disease (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS) left him reduced to a life in a wheelchair, Stephen Hawking was an exceedingly bright student studying at Cambridge. He also fell in love with a co-ed named Jane Wilde, and together they laid the foundation for one of the most important scientific careers of all time. It’s also a love story, though a bit on the fairytale side if you actually consider the facts. Still, Eddie Redmayne is Oscar-worthy as Hawking, and the film is earning big buzz as the annual awards season push begins.

Jessabelle

Director: Kevin Greutert

Yes, Halloween was last week… Anyways, this film boasts Saw editor turned Part VI and VII director Kevin Greutert going James Wan on some silly Southern gothic. What do we mean by the comparison? Well, when you consider that both men are constantly mentioned when it comes to the now dead subgenre known as torture porn, and the latter is a legitimate filmmaker who reinvented the haunted house film with Insidious and The Conjuring, this little PG-13 nod from someone who made their name as part of the gorno franchise makes a bit of sense. Even for confirmed a fright fan like yours truly, however, this is a bit much.

Merry Friggin’ Christmas

Director: Tristram Shapeero

While he has at least two more movies in the can (A Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb and Absolutely Anything), many are calling this one of Robin Williams’ last leading roles. Unfortunately, this also appears to be an unfunny holiday “comedy” where the laughs are generated from jaded juvenile behavior and not actual human emotions. The late comedian was always praised for his performances even in the most mindless, paycheck cashing affair. This looks a lot like such a fiscal decision. Too bad, then, it may end up becoming a symbol of Williams’ onscreen career.

Open Windows

Director: Nacho Vigalondo

Cast: Elijah Wood, Sasha Grey, Neil Maskell

7 NovemberOpen Windows

You gotta hand it to Elijah Wood. After walking through Middle Earth as part of the billion dollar Lord of the Rings franchise, the certified star has moved away from the mainstream for more unusual fare. He’s also indulged his love of horror, first with the excellent Maniac remake and then with a solid suspense effort entitled Grand Piano. Now comes a post-modern riff on Alfred Hitchcock’s Rear Window, the story of a young man who wins a date with his favorite celebrity (Sasha Grey) only to see her renege on the deal. Offered a chance at 24/7 internet access to her life, he agrees. Then things turn dark—really dark.

Since deciding to employ his underdeveloped muse muscles over five years ago, Bill has been a significant staff member and writer for three of the Web's most influential websites: DVD Talk, DVD Verdict and, of course, PopMatters. He also has expanded his own web presence with Bill Gibron.com a place where he further explores creative options. It is here where you can learn of his love of Swindon's own XTC, skim a few chapters of his terrifying tome in the making, The Big Book of Evil, and hear samples from the cassette albums he created in his college music studio, The Scream Room.